The Village at Lyons

Review based on Canal Café
We came in for lunch with our toddler. There were 4 waitstaff and a lady making coffee for only 8 tables. We were told we could have a table in the corner (which would not have fit a Highchair), but another table left as we were waiting. I had to ask three times for the table to be cleared and finally 20 minutes later we were seated. We had to ask to order and ordered one tea, one wine and a soup/​sandwich to share. Thankfully we brought our daughters lunch as she wouldn’t have been impressed with the slow service! Our sandwich and soup came 20 minutes later (40 min at the café at this point) and they forget the drinks. I had to chase a waitress down for these. Overall, food was mediocre. Service was abysmal. Nonexistent. And with 5 staff for 8 sets of customers it seemed more like an organisation issue than resource. New owners take note!

Such a beautiful venue. We stayed here for a wedding. The grounds are very picturesque and the accommodation is just stunning. There is character everywhere and the staff are super friendly. But beware the drinks are really pricey!!!

During a recent walk along the Canal my friend and myself ventured into the Canal Café at the Village at Lyons for Coffee and a snack. From the very outset, we felt the staff were unwelcoming and didn’t make much effort to facilitate us. While the place was relatively busy, we were shown to a table after a short wait while they cleared it after the previous customers. My friend had an open sandwich which just about ok — the smoked salmon was very good and the salad and accompanying potato chips, however, the brown bread was stale and stodgy. I ordered a fruit scone and it was so bad that I had to give it back — and thankfully I did — it was a huge lump of doughy bread — the only way I could describe it, with just one miserly raisin that I could find sitting on the bottom! It seemed to me that it had been either defrosted or reheated! The staff member that I gave the scone back to was initially indignant and unhappy that I was dissatisfied, however, later she admitted that I was correct and that she, herself, thought the brownies, scones etc were very poor quality and she was going to report it to her superiors. All in all a pretty poor experience and in my opinion, hugely overpriced — € 3.20 for an white coffeee and € 2.90 for a cup of tea — rip off! What a pity for such a lovely place on the Canal and a most amazing setting. Hope they take my comments on board!

I have been here for breakfast a few times and have really enjoyed it. I love the breakfast for 2 which includes baked eggs, bacon, homemade bread, cheeses, yogurt and to finish scones and pastries. Make sure you go hungry!
Lovely grounds to go for a walk. Friendly and helpful staff.
Definitely worth a visit!

We stayed here for a wedding and were pleasantly surprised by how beautiful the hotel grounds were. Its about an hour from Dublin and you get that countryside setting. We booked a coach/​carriage house and a few of their hotel rooms and all the rooms were beautifully modern and elegant. There was a nespresso bar in all rooms. Our room had a grand bathroom that had an enormous shower (w/​dual rain showerheads). Also included were Hermes products. I felt like I was in a fairytale!

Ive been here 3 times so far and always with a group of ten or more and the location is stunning. We normally arrive by boat and stay overnight and then continue on our journey. The food has been excellent but the staffing situation is what lets them down? why? why? get a a few more wait staff and train them for gods sake. Last night I had to organize a lunch for 10 at the last minute so today we are heading there again. It was fully booked until 4pm so I’m praying now after reading these reviews that things will go ok as these people are visiting from Oz and the UK, I shall update if its a disaster or good whichever.
Today was a family Sunday lunch, nothing really to celebrate just 9 and a baby having lunch. We had the set 2 course each, a few drinks and 4 coffee’s. 4 of use drove so couldn’t drink. The bill was 420 Euro without gratuity as expected and the food was amazing. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed there’s and were delighted with the choice they made. I love the whole place and will definitely be back.
Thank you Billy for giving us the reservation at the last minute

As we were passing on the canal, we decided to go for a bit of lunch, Mrs R has been on about it for a while.
Oh what a mistake, the food it was okay what little was on the plate.
The service really bad, first sign should have been the tourists at the next table who after asking about there coffee were told «its very busy you will have to wait». After chasing two waitresses we eventually got served.
Now there were a few people about but not many that should cause a decent trained staff any trouble.
The food quantity was small not great value.
The coffee now that was a rip off served in the smallest mug I think that is available.
Will I be back no, I got better service and better value at any of a number of greasy spoons I can think of. Oh and they know how coffee should be served.
A wasted lunch.

I’ve been there for a few weddings. Beautiful setting. You wouldn’t think you’re in Ireland really. The driveway up to the place is long so by the time you get to it, you feel nice and secluded. :)
I have been into the little café and found it lovely.
I’ve also eaten the wedding food (beef twice and chicken once) I found it all delicious.
Yep, all in all, worth a look if you’re in the area!

A real split decision. The location, staff and atmosphere is definitely 5 stars. As previous reviewers have said, the building and surroundings are simply stunning and the staff are very helpful… but and this is where the dilemma about my rating kicks in. The food was at best, just ok. My wife and I had different meals so we could get a broader range of offerings, but neither of us were really impressed. My main of duck breast was by far the biggest let down. It was very over done and very bland. I know the place isnt Michelin star or anything but the way the duck was cooked was very disappointing and I cant imagine the Chef being overly proud.
I would definitely go back again and give it a second chance and hope this was just an off night. Everything else about the place is great and I would really love to love this place!!!

Stunning location with magnificent trees and estate, with a canal nearby.
I went there to go to Clodagh Mckenna’s cookery classes and enjoyed the café in there too. There’s a restaurant that looks beautiful from the outside, and I heard the food is delicious there too.
Warning: I think they’re closed on tuesdays and wednesdays.

Drive through the gates down the manicured 1+Km driveway to The Village at Lyons. This 7^th Century settlement on The Grand Canal, has been completely renovated into a haven for fans of good food & relaxation.
The gardens are magnificently manicured and maintained. The Village area was a thriving communiity which grew up with the arrival of the Grand Canal (1756 – 1790), with hotel, shops, a forge, police barracks, flourmill etc.
Now the estate is the destination for weddings, or relaxing breaks. Only a short drive (or a nice 40 Km cycle as I did) from Dublin, you feel as if you are much further from the Capital City, than you really are. The main building makes you feel as if you are in a castle, with the stone walls, large fireplaces, and solid wood throughout.
The main room for weddings is a split level room. Outside the windows of the lower level rushes a small waterfall which really adds to the whole experience.
I was there for a friend’s wedding, and the food was superb. Fillet steak all round, although there was salmon as an option too, but the steak was cooked to perfection.
It even pours a pretty good pint of Guinness.
If there is one area they could improve it’s the staff. While they are, for the mostpart, very helpful, they just lack that something extra that you would expect by way of customer service in a venue like this.
At breakfast there were only 2 staff on for our wedding party, when it had been arranged with the coordinator that we would be down for 10:30…the staff weren’t expecting us. Maybe someone needs to come in to retrain them about smiling, and when you seat someone for breakfast ask if want tea/​coffee rather than waiting for the customer to ask for everything… bring the butter with the toast, etc.
I believe that there are plans to develop a leisure centre. This would definitely be a major plus for this facility.
There are some shops open during the day, and there is also a cookery school onsite with celebrity chef Clodagh McKenna, which would be a superb trip for a group of friends to take.
Apart from that, it is definitely a very relaxing environment and one that I would probably return to.